KLM acquired six new DC-4 airliners in 1946. Named Rotterdam after delivery, PH-TAR flew the very first Amsterdam - New York service on 21 May. It was also the first KLM aircraft to wear The Flying Dutchman titles. Therefore, though the reg under the wing is tricky to read, this cannot be PH-TAP. We are pretty sure the tail on the left belongs to Dutch C-54A NL-313 as seen in photo 408646. Photo from: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

After the ferry flight (marking its last flight ever) to The Netherlands, the registration 'PH-DDY' was reserved but not taken up. The aircraft was used for spare parts to keep c/n 42934 (ZS-NUR, 6901, ZS-NUR, 6902, PH-DDS, ZS-AUA) airworthy. The aircraft was transported to the museum by road and displayed in Government Air Transport colors with markings NL-316. Around 2018, she was repainted to represent the PH-TAR (which did exist at some point, c/n 42923). She now makes a nice eyecatcher at the children's playground at the museum.

Operated by the USAAF around 1942 as 42-107469. Later to an unknown owner as NC53103. To N53103 around November 1946, but cancelled again a month later as it became NC-registered again. To Philippine Airlines in 1948 as PI-C102. To Thai Airways in 1951 with the same registration. To HS-POE (1953), HS-TSA (August 1958) and the Thai Air Force (after 1958, as 42-107469). To Botswana in 1967 as VQ-ZEF, later to A2-ZEF. Became ZS-IPR in 1972. To the SAAF in 1981 as 6906. Put in storage in February 1994. Then to the Dutch Dakota Association (DDA) as PH-DDY, ferried to The Netherlands in June 1997.

The Skymaster with her international escort!

Fake registration, is in fact ex PH-DDY. Was previously painted as "NL-316", also false.

Fake registration, is in fact ex PH-DDY. Was previously painted as "NL-316", also false.

ex: PH-DDY, ZS-IPR, 6906, ZS-IPR, A2-ZEF, VQ-ZEF, 107469, HS-POE, PI-C102, NC53103, 42-107469. Delivered to Aviodrome in 2003 and painted as "NL-316" of the Netherlands Government Air Transport. Repainted as PH-TAR "Rotterdam" of KLM in Sep 2018.